Vaccinations during pregnancy protect both mother and baby, providing early immunity against serious infections.
A pregnancy is an important period in the life of any woman: little else can compare to the excitement of waiting for the arrival of your baby. Pregnancies also involve a lot of interaction with the healthcare system to make sure the arrival is as smooth as possible. One area that is important in this care is the discussion of various vaccinations.
Vaccinations during pregnancy are particularly important as they not only protect the mother but also transfer immunity to the baby. This is critical in the early months of the baby’s life when its own immune system is not developed enough to build immunity. It allows the little ones to have a window in which the antibodies transferred from their mother continue to shield them from various infections.
4 vaccines to consider during pregnancy
- Tdap: The Tdap vaccine builds immunity against tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria. Whooping cough can send as many 50 percent of infected babies to the hospital in their first year of life. This booster during pregnancy is the most effective way to lower that risk while the baby undergoes its own series of vaccinations for these diseases in its first few months of life.
- Influenza: Getting a flu shot can greatly help reduce the risk of a pregnant woman getting seriously ill from the flu. Being pregnant can increase the risk of serious disease with flu infections and lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. It also helps pass antibodies to the babies to protect them.
- RSV: The vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a newer vaccine that can reduce the risk of your baby getting RSV. This is usually offered between weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy when in RSV season (September to January). RSV can make babies very sick and this can reduce that risk.
- COVID-19: COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended to reduce the risk of both maternal and child risk for getting COVID-19. As with the flu, being pregnant increases risk for serious complications from COVID-19. These vaccines are safe to use in pregnancy and can provide for much peace of mind.
A note for baby’s family
Finally, adults who will be around the newborn should also review their vaccination history and catch up on any missing ones. Let’s make sure the new arrival is coming to a home that is filled with love and not with potential infections that can be easily prevented.
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Disclaimer: This blog content and linked materials are not intended as individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered as such. Any readers with medical concerns should contact a licensed healthcare provider. This blog is provided for informational purposes only.
